What's on in Wagga this weekend (13 - 15 May)

Whether you like to fill your weekends with athletic action, retail therapy or performance arts, Wagga has something for you.

All day every day, biking enthusiasts of all levels can check out the recently launched Multisport Cycling Complex at Pomingalarna Reserve.

On Friday Meccanico espresso and wine bar hosts a laidback social networking event for men, Charles Sturt University Theatre Ensemble revives the 1970s play The Removalists and musical lovers won’t want to miss the best of all the classics crammed into one show at World of Musicals.

Saturday is jam-packed. Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory hosts a Bubbles and Brushes creative session, Wagga Showground transforms into a booklovers dream and for shoppers, there are the Wollundry Saturday Markets. Live entertainment includes a tribute to the famous BBC Proms Concerts of London’s Royal Albert Hall and a show from Newcastle band Pikoù Panez.

Make sure you check out Wagga’s new gig guide for a comprehensive listing of live music performances in the area throughout the weekend.

All Weekend

Biking at Pomingalarna Reserve

When: Open to the public all day every day
Where: Pomingalarna Reserve Multisport Cycling Complex
Cost: Free

Situated just off the Sturt Highway at San Isidore, this biking complex opened last year and offers fun for the whole family – a bike education area, jump and pump tracks, BMX track, a mountain bike “playground”, changerooms, canteens, barbecues, shelters, spectating facilities and a fenced children’s playground. More serious riders can hit the 1.5 km criterium track or the 400 m velodrome.

Friday

Grab Life By The Balls Coffee & ChinWag

When: Friday 13 May, from 6:30 am
Where: Meccanico, 171 Fitzmaurice St, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Free entry

Self-described “mateship movement” Grab Life By The Balls holds events all over Australia for men to network and meet new friends in their local communities. Founder Sam Parker holds laid back, unstructured social sessions where men can relax, be themselves and have a laugh.

“We’re doing one every week; this is about the third or fourth one. We really want to foster the routine,” Mr Parker says.

Local café Meccanico serves as the venue for this event. The grassroots not-for-profit welcomes men from all walks of life. Simply roll up, look for the signs to see where the boys are sitting, introduce yourself to Sam and have brekky and a chat with the crew. And “that’s pretty much it”, as the organiser puts it.

Charles Sturt University Theatre Ensemble presents The Removalists

When: Friday 13 May, 7:30 pm and Saturday 14 May, 1 pm and 7:30 pm
Where: CSU Riverina Playhouse, 8 Cross Street, Wagga Wagga
Cost: From $14.50, purchase here

David Williamson’s 1971 play The Removalists dramatically changed the landscape of Australian theatre. Set in a crime-ridden Melbourne, an experienced police Sergeant and a new recruit stumble into the lives of two women dealing with domestic violence and abuse. When the two officers become involved in a planned escape, the consequences are terrible and tragic. The play is a twisted mix of dark comedy and devastating violence.

Sadly, the curtain will close on the Creative Industries courses in Wagga at the end of 2022, so this production is presented by the final group of Bachelor of Creative Industries Performance and Design graduates to come out of Wagga. Make sure you head down to the Playhouse to support and celebrate the skills and knowledge of the University Theatre Ensemble and experience one of the most powerful plays in Australian theatre history.

World of Musicals

When: Friday 13 May, 7:30 pm
Where: Wagga Civic Theatre
Cost: Adult $79.90, concession $74.90, child $59.90, group 10+ $74.90 and family (2 adults/2 children) $270.

Can’t decide what musical you want to watch? This show pulls together the best bits of them all. World-famous shows including The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, We will Rock You, Sister Act and lots more feature in this collection of classic show tunes. This musical show graces the Civic Theatre with a hand-picked selection of the best theatre, opera and television talent in the UK, Ireland and Australia.

Saturday

Bubbles & Brushes – Kookaburra Edition

When: Saturday 14 May, 2 pm – 4 pm
Where: Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory
Cost: $60 per person, book here

This weekend, there are limited spots at the Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory where visitors can break out the fizz and paintbrushes and let the creative juices flow. No painting experience is required – simply unleash your creative side with wine, beer or cider in hand. All art materials are supplied.

Wagga Rotary Book Fair

When: Saturday 14 May, 8 am – 5 pm and Sunday 15 May, 9 am – 3 pm.
Where: Kyeamba Smith Hall, Wagga Showgrounds
Cost: $2 donation entry for adults, children free.

Head to the Wagga Showground and spend the day amongst literally thousands of books. Fiction, non-fiction, young adult and children’s categories, CDs, DVDs and sheet music will all be up for grabs, and a small selection of old rare collectables. EFTPOS will be available.

Wollundry Saturday Markets

When: Saturday 14 May, 9 am – 1 pm.
Where: Civic Precinct, between Wollundry Lagoon and the Civic Theatre
Cost: Free

A classic Saturday pastime, the Wollundry Saturday Markets return on the second Saturday of the month to offer locals a crepe and a coffee while they browse the work of local artists, food vendors and creatives.

An Afternoon at the Proms Spectacular

When: Saturday 14 May, 2 pm
Where: Wagga Civic Theatre
Cost: Adult $79.00, concession $77.00, subscriber $75.00, student $73.00 or group 8+ $75.00.

Australia’s most acclaimed international violinist Ian Cooper joins opera stars, prima ballerinas, Irish and tango dancers, pipe band and the Blue Danube Orchestra for a tribute to the famous BBC Proms Concerts of London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Theatre-goers will be treated to a vast range from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to ballet from The Nutcracker, medleys from South Pacific to romantic favourites including Love is A Many Splendid Thing, Someday My Prince Will Come, Loveliest Night of the Year and Be My Love.

The show also incorporates a tribute to the iconic Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The orchestra will be joined by The Governor Macquarie Memorial Pipe Band and young talent from The Scots School Albury Pipe Band performing Amazing Grace, Highland Cathedral, and Scotland the Brave among other favourites.

Pikoù Panez

When: Saturday 14 May, 4 – 6 pm
Where: The Curious Rabbit
Cost: $17, book here

Pikoù Panez is a Newcastle-based band embarking on their first tour through the south of Australia to celebrate their debut single Crocodile. The six-piece band creates a dreamy and energetic vibe with their experimental songwriting and improvisation. Born on Awabakal Land, Pikoù Panez brings original sounds inspired by progressive folk, jazz, soul and world music.

Wagga Gig Guide

Introducing Wagga’s only comprehensive gig guide: grab your mates and get around your local musos. A reasonably quiet weekend to be had after the excitement of the Gold Cup last weekend, but there will still be some trusty locals performing at venues all over Wagga:

Friday

• Piston Broke @ Duke of Kent Hotel – 8:30 pm to late
• Josh McKellar @ Wagga RSL – 7 pm
• Nathan Lamont @ The Riverina Hotel – 6 pm

Saturday

• Pikoù Panez @ The Curious Rabbit – 4 pm – 6 pm
• Stripped Back Duo @ Wagga RSL – 7 pm to late
• Crooked Crows @ Duke of Kent Hotel – 8:30 pm to late
• Bootleg Rascal @ Red Steer Hotel – 6 pm – 11 pm. Tickets are essential, available here
• Shotput Kitty @ Union Club Hotel – 9:30 pm – 11 pm

Sunday

• Millie & Harry @ Birdhouse – 6 pm – 9 pm

Have we missed anything? Let us know: [email protected]